Barbour seeks more power to cut

Barbour seeks more power to cut

Barbour is asking top lawmakers to consider giving him – and future governors – the ability to slice budgets up to 10 percent when the Legislature is not in session.

Currently, he can cut up to 5 percent without legislative approval, but anything greater requires every budget to be cut equally.

Several lawmakers, particularly House Democrats, expressed hesitation because crafting the budget is one of the Legislature’s main duties.

“I’m just not personally interested in the governor having more power over what is clearly a legislative function,” said Rep. Steve Holland, D-Plantersville.

Clarion-Ledger
11/6/9